School Won't Allow Daughter to Bring Mom to Father-Daughter Dance

Jan 23, 2015

Shawna Steeves is a single mom to Meghan, an 8-year-old attending Southwest Elementary School in Lawson, MO. Meghan has been looking forward to her school's upcoming father-daughter dance, and asked her mother to go with her. "To me, that's an honor," said Shawna.

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After getting the OK from the school's principal, Shawna and her little girl went dress shopping, and found the perfect outfit in Meghan's favorite color. "It's everything she's wanted," she said. But then their plans came to a halt after the Southwest Parent-Teacher Organization (which has the final say on the event) contacted them.

Shawna was told she wasn't allowed to go anymore because it would take away from the "integrity" of the occasion. The PTO emphasized the dance is for "male figures," and family friends, uncles and grandpas can be alternatives. Meghan, though, only wants to attend with her mother. "If you're going to have that and you're going to tell someone to bring their father figure, why not me? I'm just as good," Shawna said, heartbroken.

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In a statement, PTO President Kacey Collier said,"There were several options given to this family and all families...Our goal is to keep this special event authentic. We offer many other events that are family-oriented."

Meghan, disappointed with the decision, is writing a letter to her school.

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